DETAILED ANALYSIS OF MONGO BETI'S THE POOR CHRIST OF BOMBA'

COMPILED BY

GROUP 1

LECTURER; DR. MAMUDU

Abstract

This essay presents a comprehensive analysis of the ideologies behind Mongo Beti's novel on
colonialism and its effect on the fictional nation of Tala, which represents present day Cameroon.
This novel satirizes the French colonial administration's exploitative and dehumanizing treatment of
those they colonized. In doing so, he highlights how Catholicism was used as a weapon to manipulate
the people. Using only theory of Social realism the ideologies of colonial domination will be
examined in this essay and themes used to portray this ideology is what this essay sets to examine.

Introduction

1.1 Purpose of Study

The Purpose of this study is to examine the novel, Mungo Beti's 'The Poor Christ of Bomba' as a
novel set in the colonial era.The main is to highlight and discuss the ideologies the author sets to
create, and how it characters action portrays the themes in the novel. The essay presents the social
reality of Africans during colonialism and the main idelogy of Mungo Beti is that of colonial
domination and the pattern the missionaries followed that lead to a negative result and experience
of Africans. This essay also examines this ideology from the messages (themes) the writer pass
across through his novel. These includes; cultural conflict between the African and Western cultures,
Colonial exploitaton of Africa, the concept of marriage, hypocritical nature of chatacters and the
issue of polygamy in African society.

1.2 Methodology

This essay employs the qualitative research method. Detailed analysis of

the selected text is used for literary analysis. The primary text used is Mungo Be

tis 'A Poor Christmas of Bomba' and secondary materials were sourced from

journals, articles, , and internet materials

2.1 Theoretical Background

This study adopts the the theory of social realism. This theory best fits this study because the
preoccupation of the writer in the novel depicts the experiences of Africans during the period of
expliotation by the colonizers. African is the mist exploited and vandalized of all the countries that
has been colonized. The experiences of the Africans all put toegther has effect up till the 21st century
and they are evident in religion, marriages, buildings and education. In this essay Mungo Beti's 'Poor
Christ of Bomba' presents the social reality of Africa through the fictional land of Tala.

The fundamental tenet of social realism is that people and society are inextricably linked; while
people shape society by their behaviors, social structures also place limitations on them. Social
structures include institutions such as the government, the economy, the social classes, and religions.
Although these structures are the strong forces that mold people's lives, people also have the power
to alter and shape these structures by their deeds. People and society have a dynamic interaction in
which both parties are always influencing and being affected by one another.
Socialist realism is employed in Beti's poor Christ of Bonba and it explores real life situation as it
recounts the period of colonialism in Cameroon. Beti's works aims to depicts the effects of French
colonial infringement on the Cameroon landscape and consciousness. At once, Mongo Beti's novel is
both "representation" and "resistance"-representation of a complex, rich African culture and
resistance to a virulent French colonization. We have the European colonizers (the French) who
introduce the policy of assimilation to supplant the indigenous culture.

The novel as a satire on the catholic mission of the white men in Africa. The novel exposed the moral,
spiritual, religious as well as the economic hypocrisy of the white men, fore grounding that it is only a
cunning way into the path of extraction of the black race:

In conclusion, Social realism theory is the best theoretical approach to Beti's work as it enable
readers to relate to the real life activities that has taken place. Socialist realism is different from
realism as it not only presents conditions of the poor, but does so by conveying the tensions between
two opposing forces, such as between colonizers and the colonized.

3.1 Review of Related Scholarship

Charles .A. Tita in his essay "Towards a Poetics of Decolonization: Mongo Beti’s The Poor Christ of
Bomba, analyzes Mongo Beti's significant novel from 1956. The work explores the impact of French
colonization on Cameroon's landscape and with an emphasis on Father Superior Drumont's mission
in the rainforest region in the 1930s. Despite appearing devout, Drumont, driven by French colonial
assimilation doctrine, forces his Christian recruits to abandon African traditions. The essay interprets
Beti's novel as a fictional slave narrative similar to the Harlem Renaissance, exposing French
imperialism and proposing an inventory of resistance as a road to decolonization. This essay is similar
to ours because it focuses on the issue of colonialism in Africa and the same novel, it differs from the
current work which uses the social realism theory to examine the ideology behind the novel.

Abubakar et al. examines female characters in Mongo Beti's novel, "The Poor Christ of Bomba." Using
the concept of "double oppression," Sani's the paper demonstrates the unjust mistreatment of
women in the novel's setting by both colonialists (headed by Father Drumont) and native African
society. The essay exposes the complex issues of the Christian mission's pretence, hypocrisy,
insincerity, and bias in handling women's issues like polygamy and adultery, adding vital insights to
our knowledge of gender dynamics in the depicted human society. This essay is similar to ours
because it focuses on the social reality of the female characters in 'A Poor Christ of Bomb', It differs
as the current work focuses on Beti's ideology in writing the novel.
Godday and Ogede, in their essay 'Bullying as Trope in Adekunle Mamudu’s The Beauty of Madness',
employ the Postcolonial Otherness Theory to delve into the theme of bullying. The study reveals the
wide range of bullying, including verbal, psychological, and physical forms, and depicts characters'
experiences with abuse, threats, and intimidation. The study argues that addressing this issue is
critical, noting the negative effects of bullying on individuals and communities. This book contributes
to the greater debate on bullying literature, increasing our understanding of its socio-psychological
impacts.This work is relevant to our essay since both explore societal difficulties, demonstrating the
widespread nature of human defects and structural challenges. The essay differs from the current
work in that, while Mamudu highlights the complex dynamics of bullying, Beti looks into the depths
of corruption, providing a critical viewpoint on the sociopolitical situation.
DATA ANALYSIS

1.1 PLOT ANALYSIS

The story revolves around the reverend “Father Drumont", who at first had a genuine intention to
transform the ancient nature of the Africans into what he believes to be the civilized ways and
manners of living. A decision that was set in motion years before fifteen-year-old Denis wrote about
the events in his diary to . Denis is father's houseboy, who he considers his son and treats him fairly.
Denis records the happenings that occur on Father's tour of the missionary work as he and the cook
Zacharia travel through the villages surrounding the forest of the Tala region.

In the beginning of the book the Father leaves Bomba, which primarily survives on the Labour of
the Sixa, a home for the engaged young women brings in, a place reserved and designed for the
grooming of young girls until they are ripe for marriage. These women stay several months at the
Sixa and provide free labor on the plantations, in the elementary school and workshops. Contrasting
to the women in the Sixa who follow the teachings, there are the Tala villagers in the forest. The Tala
villagers accepting Christianity as minimally as possible, because they realize that the European faith
has provided access to what the Talas believe the true power of 'colonialism: money'. They disobey
the Father by practising polygamy, not coming to Mass meetings, living careless lives and not
accepting the Father as one of their own.

Father Drumont's life's mission to convert the Tala's becomes impossible because of the people's
obstinate nature. In every village he visits in the Tala country, he becomes dissatisfied and unfulfilled,
the people sees him as one of the colonizers and worst more a Greek trader. The Colonial
Administrator "Monsieur Vidal" assured him that when the people faces forced labour, whippings
and struggle from long working hours on the road constructions, they will run back to him for
comfort. At first it brought back hope to the Father, but these degrading practices continues and
Father had to return back to Bomba.

At Bomba, the Sixsa girls were revealed to have great delight in any opportunity open to them
through sex. For them, sex appears to be the only remedy to their plight it. If there is any strong
factor responsible for the sixta girls sexual degradation, it is their unjustifiable exposure to hard
labour as if they were mere slaves, they are exposed to all kinds of forced duties. An example of this
is the relationship between Catherine and Zacharia Father's Cook. Catherine lied to the
administrators of the Sixsa and followed Father,Denis and Zacharia on their tour.They begin to engage
in sexual relation, during this period Catherine's uncouth nature made her to rape innocent Denis,
which led to the narrators 'guilty concise or loss of innocence'.

When all these were brought to the open, and the Father unable to transform the Tala's and lastly,
Drumont’s “Number One Boy,” Daniel, has introduced syphilis into the sixa; consequently, many of
Bomba’s men and their wives are afflicted with this venereal disease. He quickly completes his plans
to return to France. The African supervisors and catechists flee Bomba.

Before leaving for France, Father Drumont returns the narrator (Denis) to his father and sends the
sixa women back to their home villages—still infected with syphilis and gonorrhea. Denis hears
nothing from Drumont. Soon Bomba is deserted and rumors saying villagers are being driven into
hard labor by Vidal’s soldiers. Denis decides to escape from the countryside for the more civilized life
of working for a Greek merchant.

2.1 The Ideology of the novel

In Beti's The Poor Christ of Bomba, it is clear that he reflects on the periods of colonization in Africa,
observing how the colonial master treated the people as well as how the locals responded to this
treatment, resulting in anti-colonial ideology and colonial.

2.2 ANTI-COLONIALISM

Anticolonialism, refers to the resistance movements and ideologies aimed at challenging and
overthrowing colonial domination. In "The Poor Christ of Bomba," Beti portrays various forms of
anticolonial resistance, including cultural resistance, and the assertion of African identity. Characters
such as Zacharia, symbolize the spirit of resistance against colonial oppression. Anticolonialism in the
novel is also reflected in the rejection of Eurocentric values and the assertion of African cultural
autonomy and pride.

The work reveals the shortcomings in Father Drumont's mission, particularly the distorted Sixa
project, demonstrating a rejection of colonial control. Beti's work, like slave tales aimed at advocating
abolition, is a fictitious slave story that unravels French imperialism and paves the path for
decolonization, mirroring a growing national consciousness comparable to the Harlem Renaissance in
the United States.

2.3COLONIAL DOMINATION

Colonial domination on the other hand refers to the oppressive rule and control exerted by
European colonial powers over African territories during the colonial period. In Beti's novel, this
ideology is depicted through the portrayal of the colonial administration's exploitation,
discrimination, and cultural imperialism. European colonizers, represented by characters such as the
Father Drumont, exercise authority and enforce their own values, laws, and economic systems upon
the indigenous African population. This domination is often enforced through violence,coercion, and
the suppression of African cultures and traditions. The novel highlights the dehumanizing effects of
colonial rule on African societies, including the economic exploitation, and social stratification based
on racial hierarchy. Beti exposes the cultural clash, exploitaton, and the awareness of cultural
heritage (the concept of marriage and polygamy in African society) which are likened to relevant
themes accompanied by the ideologies behind the novel

Through the character of Father Drumont in "The Poor Christ of Bomba," Mongo Beti investigates the
impact of French colonial rule in Cameroon. Despite his role as a Catholic priest, Father Drumont
promotes the French colonial doctrine of assimilation, urging recruits to renounce African traditions
in favour of Christianity

3.1Themes

Cultural conflict between the African and Western cultures,

Cultural conflict denotes differences and struggles between two cultures. In Mongo Beti's The Poor
Christ of Bomba, the conflict stems from colonialism, which brings two distinct cultures face-to-face
with their differences.Colonialism is the domination of a less advanced culture by a more advanced
one. Culture itself is the entire way of life of a particular people. This cuts across the social, religious,
and political spheres. In the novel, we have two opposing cultures: the European culture of the
French and the African culture of the Cameroonians. The areas of conflict between these two distinct
peoples are mainly religious and social.
Religious difference punctuates the basis of the cultural conflict in the story. In this aspect, the
Catholic Mission serves as the main agent of religious change. The Catholic Mission led by Father
Drumont seeks to turn the Africans away from their religious beliefs, which are considered pagan and
wrong. We see this during the tour of Tala, which Father Drumont has abandoned for two years. At
Mobet, an area in Tala, he threatens a polygamous man with hell because the man disagrees with
him over spending a long time in his wife's quarters while speaking on religion.

There is also conflict between European culture and African culture concerning marriage and family.
Father Drumont has launched a six-month program that requires the young unmarried women to
spend three months at the mission before they are given the sacrament of marriage, although the
duration is later extended to four months. This design is strange to Africans, who love children
regardless of the circumstances of their birth, whether out of marriage or wedlock. Dennis imagines
how happy his father would be if his sister were to give birth to a child, especially a boy, as that
would mean another man in the household. Correcting the 'unmarriedness' of African mothers is
one of the reasons for institutionalizing the Sixa- program. The father collects a special fee from the
unmarried girls who bring their children to be baptized.

The Father doesn't think civil marriage is enough, even though the Administrator requires it. At
Timbo Palaver, a man with a 7000 Francs dowry wants his wife back from the Sixa, but Father
Drumont insists on the sacrament of marriage. The man is slapped for persistently confronting the
Father. Drumont also opposes polygamy and denies baptism to those practicing it. He tries to
convince the community to have only one wife, but many resist as it conflicts with their belief in
acquiring multiple wives as a sign of wealth.

The Africans also engage in polygamy for more children. this is seen when Father Drumont tries to
meet a Chief who used to be a devout Christian, he has stopped going to church and he has many
wives, he tells Father Drumont that once he has enough children, he will send all the wives he has
married except the first one away, Father Drumont knows this is a lie and he gives up trying to
convince the chief.

The novel explores the idea of cultural conflict to highlight the differences between people of distinct
backgrounds. Similarly, Father Drumont finds most of the traditional practices in the Tala region
barbaric since they do not align with what he views as right. On many occasions, he interferes with
their activities. One significant occasion is the pagan festival, which he interrupts and destroys their
xylophone. Of course, this does not go well with the head in the gathering, and so the father is
almost beaten.

3.2 Colonial exploitaton of Africa

Another instance of colonial domination is labour exploitation. The young unmarried/prospective

wives in the sixta are subject to hard labour as Father Drumont claims he is training them for
marriage. The girls are forced to do extreme chores, such as carrying wood to build the church.
Father Drumont, under disguise, extends the three months of sixta to four months to use them for
more hard labour. His catechism boys, whom he leaves in charge of the sixta, sexually, physically, and
financially exploit the girls. Although Father Drumont is not the doer, he is an initiator, as he pays a
blind eye to the atrocities going on.Economic exploitation is another form of colonial dominance in
the “Poor Christ of Bomba. The people are forced to pay their dues just for Father Drumont to hear
and listen to their confessions, even after an elderly woman pleads for leniency, as she is without any
means of income. Father Drumont refuses. The women and people are so brainwashed that they
give out their chickens and the rest to the priest, as he is seen as Christ and superior, and so they
appease him with the little they have.All these collectively contribute to the novel's broader
exploration of colonial domination.

3.3 Polygamous nature of the African society

Mungo Beti's "The Poor Christ of Bomba" takes us deep into the complexities of polygamy, exposing
the clash between traditional African marriage practices and Western ideals of marriage. Through
the natives, the narrative unravels the intricate layers surrounding polygamy within the colonial
African context. In the Bomba and Tala regions where the events take place, polygamy is a deeply
ingrained cultural practice. Men are expected to have multiple wives, and the number of wives a
man has is seen as a sign of his wealth and status. Women are also expected to accept polygamy as
part of their societal role.

The arrival of the Catholic mission in Bomba disrupts this established social order. The missionaries,
led by the authoritarian Father Drumont, condemned polygamy and promoted monogamy as the
only acceptable form of marriage. This creates tension between the traditional way of life and the
new religious teachings. The chief of Ekokot introduces another dynamic, seeking Drumont's
approval for taking multiple wives. Citing the infertility of his first wife, the chief delays his conversion
until he has enough children. This plea is obviously not genuine, and so it reveals the inherent nature
of African men to take as many wives as their situation allows.

The chief of Ekokot, who was a devout Christian, is an example of the prevalence of culture. Although
he claims to have reasons for taking multiple wives, he just exhibits the reality of African men,
especially in marriage. In a poignant conversation with Drumont, the chief attempts to explain the
reason for embracing polygamy. He explains;"Certainly, Father; you know what I mean. You know my
first wife, eh? The one I married in church? Well, she’s sterile. Yes, Father, she’s sterile! So, you
understand me when I say I was forced to take other wives in order to have children. But when I have
enough children, I may let my other wives go. Yes, perhaps..." (p.65).

As expected, the priest does not sympathize with his situation but insists on his separation from his
many wives as a testament to his conversion to Christianity again.Drumont's response reflects a rigid
stance against polygamy, detached from the personal consequences faced by those involved. The
lack of concern for affected women, who may face abandonment, becomes evident and therefore
shows his insensitivity to the consequences that accompany his doctrines.

This added perspective enhances our understanding of the complex dynamics surrounding polygamy
in "The Poor Christ of Bomba." The clash between traditional practices and Western religious
doctrines shapes individual choices, revealing a disconnect between missionary endeavours and the
lived experiences of the African community. The reality of polygamy, both personal and societal,
unfolds against a backdrop of rigid missionary policies, shedding light on the challenges faced by
those caught between cultural traditions and the demands of a changing world.

In conclusion, Beti's narrative navigates the complexities of polygamy, emphasizing its multifaceted
nature within the colonial African context. The characters' struggles and Drumont's rigid stance. The
text paints a vivid picture of polygamy as the norm for Africans and the clash between this norm and
monogamy, which is enforced by Father Drumonts, who represents the colonialists.
3.4 The concept of marriage

In the novel, Bongo Meti presents marriage as a fundamental institution deeply rooted in African
culture. It serves as a means of social cohesion and continuity, playing a significant role in shaping
the dynamics of African societies. The portrayal of marriage in the text allows us to explore various
aspects, including the significance of arranged marriages, the concept of bride wealth, and the
impact of colonial influences.

One important aspect to consider is the practice of arranged marriages, which is prevalent in many
African cultures. The novel portrays the pressure on individuals, like Ndinga, to conform to societal
expectations and enter into marriages that are arranged by their families. This highlights the
communal nature of marriage, where the union of two individuals extends beyond personal desires
and contributes to the stability and prosperity of the entire community.

Furthermore, it is crucial to examine the impact of colonialism on African marriage practices.

Colonial powers often sought to undermine traditional customs and impose their own values and
institutions. This resulted in the erosion of certain marriage traditions and the introduction of
Western concepts such as monogamy and individual choice in partner selection. The novel may
provide insights into how African communities navigated these changes and the tensions that arose
between traditional practices and imposed Western ideals.

To deepen our understanding, we can supplement our analysis with additional research on marriage
in different regions of Africa. For example, we can explore the diverse marriage customs among
ethnic groups such as the Yoruba in Nigeria, the Zulu in South Africa, or the Ashanti in Ghana. This
would allow us to identify commonalities and variations in marriage practices, rituals, and beliefs,
further enriching our seminar work.

3.5 Hypocritical nature of chatacters

In Mongo Beti's "Poor Christ of Bomba," the subject of hypocrisy permeates the narrative, illustrating
the contradictions and moral ambiguities inherent in colonialism and religious conversion. In relation
to social effects, it constitutes a reality still prominently operational in it's schemes of deception and
manipulation, reflecting the severe foothold on the minds of the average people of the society.
Through the portrayal of key characters, Beti explores various facets of hypocrisy, shedding light on
the disconnect between professed values and actual behaviour. This analysis examines how
characters such as Father Drumont, Zacharia, and Dennis, among others, contribute to the facade of
hypocrisy in the African history and present day reality and, as well, within the novel

In Beti's "Poor Christ of Bomba," the author delves into the issue of religious hypocrisy, particularly
through the character Father Drumont. This character represents the quiet and progressive invasion
of European values in Africa, exploiting and oppressing the native people under the pretext of
religion and civilization. Father Drumont maintains a deceitful position, presenting himself as
admirable to the natives while working for integration and defending European supremacist ideology
against African culture. The tale emphasizes the deceitful nature of colonial religion and its effects on
indigenous people. An image his initial actions accords him. However, this quickly reverses and shows
that he never did it for civilization or religion, but only for personal pacification.

In simple terms, Father Drumont, worries about his project failing, he prolongs his sister's stay in the
six-a program to get more work done. Despite locals calling him "the cunning one," he hides his true
motives behind religious reasons, claiming to address polygamy. However, his actions contradict the
Christian values he preaches, displaying a lack of compassion and hypocritical behavior. He even
resorts to violence when challenged. The author, Mongo Beti, suggests that colonialism, represented
by religion, is dishonorable because it forces colonizers to betray their values. Father Drumont's true
intentions emerge when he implies that only the "miserable and oppressed" can believe in God. This
reveals his plan to use religion to control and suppress the Tala people, who symbolize truth by
engaging with the European faith for its material benefits, such as money.

Zacharia and Catherine, who are supposed to be loyal church servants, secretly have an affair,
violating their vows of chastity and fidelity. Their activities reveal hypocrisy, since they claim to be
committed Christians while engaging in sinful behaviour. This demonstrates the missionary project's
inability to establish genuine moral standards, as obedience with church laws is motivated by fear or
convenience. Zacharia's deception derives from societal pressures, and his portrayal as a two-faced
character reinforces the novel's topic of hypocrisy. Catherine's conduct may be motivated by denied
sexual impulses owing to society expectations, which would contradict the church's teachings and
cause conflict.

Hypocrisy revolves round the whole text as the Writer uses it to explain the height of decadence in
the religion brought forth by the Colonialists.

Symbolic characters

In Mongo Beti’s The Poor Christ of Bomba, certain characters are significantly used for the
development of the ideology. Characters like Father Drumont, Dennis and Zacharia are used to
portray various instances in the colonial period in Africa.

Father Drumont is a character who although claims to be particular about the supposed salvation of
Africans, is most concerned about the expansion of the European empire. This, he works towards by
the perpetuating the strategy of assimilation. He has been with the Bomba people for 20 years and
his main intention is to annihilate the culture of the Bomba and Tala people.

He builds a mission house and feeds the blacks with stories of how great his country is and how well
behaved his people are. This he does to relegate and directly rubbish the way of life of the Bomba
people.

We are exposed to the priest’s fervency in prevailing over the African culture when he tours the Tala
community after abandoning them for 2 years in order to starve them of his spiritual nourishment as
a punishment for their nonchalance.

A most notable instance of the display of the policy of assimilation is when he goes to disrupt the
celebration of the “pagans” at Evindi. Father Drumont breaks their xylophone in anger because
according to him, they should not be dancing in the first place and especially not on the first Friday of
the month in Honour of Jesus Christ. He says he has come for the black to ensure that they don’t go
to hell fire. In other words, their religion is in contrary to Christianity and so it is a straight ticket to
hell fire.

Dennis represents the Africans susceptible to assimilation during colonialism.

His father, a catechist of Father Drumont, sends him to serve as a page for the Bomba Mission
priests. After two years, Denis has learned sufficient French language and “culture” to serve as a
mass boy and run errands for the priests. He also tells us that he has grown to love Father Drumont
even more than he does his own father.

Denis is presented as Father Drumont’s successful experiment or exercise in Christian conversion.

This brings out the idea of the assimilation policy. Denis has become a devout Christian who feeds on
every word that proceeds from the mouth of Father Superior Drumont. He is a case in point that
“proves” the efficacy of the mission westernization of the indigenous people. Denis loving Father
Drumont more than he loves his own father is the model the colonialists is seeking to replicate.

He proves to be a more brutal judge of his own people than Father Drumont. He condemns the
people who err against the priest and and rejoices at their plight which he considers a punishment
for going against such supernatural man.

A case study is a man in Mombet community who while working in the fields sustains a fatal injury an
accident. Father Drumont is called to perform absolution for his soul in the course of his impending
death. In his narration, Dennis expresses his content about the tragedy. In his words“ I am happy to
think that this event might have shown them the right path again” He also goes on to say that “the
tree had chosen to

pierce him just below the belly, so he was punished exactly where he had sinned!” because this man
is not married in the Christian way.

His distaste extends to Zacharia, the biggest critique of Father Drumont.

Zacharia is the cook. He embodies the consciousness of the colonizer even though he is in a
colonized position

Beti uses Zacharia as a voice to challenge Father and the system he represent.

Zacharia understands Africa's past and goes on the journey to uncover what the whites know that
Africans do not. He also represents the Africans who feign interest in Christ but are truly motivated
by money and business with their oppressors the French. Zacharia speaks for the African perspective
in the book shedding light on the true character and intentions of the colonialists. In a serious
sarcastic and ironic way Zacharia reveals African truths to the reader the narrator and the Father. He
tells the father that the concept of God does not originally come from him and the reason it seemed
like people initially rushed to Christianity is because of the revelation. The revelation of school where
the secrets of the whites can be acquired. But in the stead of those secrets, they are bring fed with
Jesus Christ, hell fire and heaven.

In spite of being a close associate of Father Drumont, he outrightly rebels against his teachings
especially against polygamy. He brings along to the tour one of the sixa girls, Catherine and
continuously sleeps with her under the nose of the father. Even when he is found out, he shows no
remorse and we hear from Catherine that they will be getting married despite already married to his
wife in the Christian way.

Zacharia represents the Africans who are unable to be assimilated into the colonialists culture due to
the knowledge of their heritage.

We can therefore conclude that the mentioned characters are symbolic to the novel, especially
because of how Mongo Beti has characterised them to fit into the reality of African colonial period.

Conclusion

In this essay, an analysis has been conducted on Beti’s literary work 'Poor Christ of Bomba', which
delves into the ways in which the Catholic Church is utilized as a tool for oppression and exploitation
of the people. The theory of social realism is employed in order to provide an understanding of the
ideologies of anti-colonialism and colonial dominance. The writer reveals these messages in the
course of his writing, which include: cultural conflict between the African and Western cultures;
colonial exploitation of Africa; the concept of marriage; the hypocritical nature of characters; and the
issue of polygamy in African society.

Work cited

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Beyond Politics and Race in Contemporary African Novel” Imbizo. Vol. 2, no. 1, 2021, pp. 1-16.
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